Keller @ Large: Not So Optimistic After Clinton-Trump Debate
BOSTON (CBS) - If I had a buck for every time someone has approached me during this campaign to complain about the poor quality of the major-party nominees, I might be able to afford Red Sox playoff tickets.
And my sunny, optimistic personality has always compelled me to reassure folks upset with the choice. Whoever wins will grow in the job, I say. Our country is strong, our system is sound, we will find a way to make it all work out.
Well, after Monday night, I'm not so sure anymore.
Watch: First Presidential Debate
Hillary Clinton may have finally gotten her answer down on the whole e-mail fiasco – I made a mistake, I'm sorry, I learned from it, it won't happen again. End of story.
But her explanation at the debate of her cravenly-political flip-flop on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal was totally self-serving. She sounded naïve defending the sketchy Iran nuclear deal.
And for her to cite her testimony on the Benghazi disaster as a sign of strength was astonishingly tone deaf to the incompetence that affair exposed.
But at least Clinton sounded like a grownup.
Donald Trump put on a convincing impression of a cranky nine-year-old, stumbling all over himself with his laughable explanations for hiding his tax returns, for his dubious business practices, for his promotion of the foolish birther smears.
Does he really think we care about his thrilling triumph in an insult war with Rosie O'Donnell?
These two have their merits; Monday night, she showcased more of hers than he did.
But two more debates like this and I'm going to have to start telling my dismayed friends that they may not be dismayed enough.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
